The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1887-03-17
IRRESP ONSIBLE LABOR RECRUITING IN
THE SOUTH SEAS.

The Hawaiian brig Allie Rowe, Cap
tain J. Phillips, arrived from cruise in
the South Seas on Sunday last, having
on board 125 natives of the New Heb
rides, some of whom have already been
assigned to plantations. The balance
are open for engagement, and being
"likely lot," will no doubt find en-
ployers or purchasers.
This announcement is one which
probably will not raise ripple of com
ment in our decorous community, but
nevertheless it is likely to be heard of
again from other quarters. The expe-
rience of the Hawaiian Government in
labor recruiting in the South Seas has
not been happy one. The doings of
Freeman and Tiernay cannot have been
forgotten, and now we want to know
whether the Government is prepared to
shoulder the responsibility of the Allie
Rowe and its commander, who is said
not to be altogether unknown in the labor
trade in the waters where his last freight
was recruited. If not, it is about time some
set itself right with the civilized overs,
and thus have guarantee that the Ha-
waiian flag will be respected.
The Allie Rowe, we understand, was
employed by the Board of Health to take
laborers whose contracts had expired to
Jaluit. No agent of the Government ac-
companied the vessel, and the author
tiles have no proof that the contract was
honestly performed. This has been the
practical result in previous return ship
ments OF contract laborers, only the alb
surd precaution had been taken in those
cases OF appointing the commander of
the vessel carrying them as Govern
ment Agent, who was to report upon his
own acts. That superauous piece of
folly was omitted in this case, and every
thing was taken upon trust. This is
not business-like way of doing things,
and 1t certainly is not in any respect
similar to the humane and precise regu-
la1ons In force in British colonies en-
ploying Islands labor. If the Govern
ment was bound to return the labor i'm
migrants to their distant homes, pre-
cautions should have been taken to en-
sure their safe return at whatever cost. |
We understand further that some
one on behalf of the owners |
or agent of the Allie Rowe applied |
to the Hawaiian Government for leave
to recruit a cargo of laborers from the
South Seas, and that permission was re-
fused. Despite this refusal, it is re-
ported that the vessel cruised among the
New Hebrides group and returned thence
TO Honolulu with los men and 20
women. How many people were put on
board originally cannot be known, nor
can anyone outside the crew tell how
they were recruited. 1t is sufficient to
say That 1t was a private venture.
these people may have come voluntarily.
VINO knows? Everything must be taken
upon trust, but if they shipped yolun-
tarlly and all survived the voyage. it is
the most remarkable case in the history
OF the South Sea labor traffic. What is
tact, however, is that formal complaint
has been made to the Hawaiian Govern
ment of the proceedings of the Allie
Rowe, by duly authorized labor agents
OF the Queensland Government.
Coming back to these immigrants: Upon
what terms were they shipped; who is
TO return them to their homes; who is to
profit by this venture? Is it a phiIan-
thropic act, pure and simple? In this
age men do not conduct
business involving heavy risks and ex-
penditure upon philanthropie basis.
There must be money in it for someone.
Does the labor recruit reap the profit, or
who? These are questions which natur-
lily arise in this connection, and they
ire questions which should and must be
These New Hebrideans are without a
Government to look after them. Their
Helpless and dependent condition APP
eals to the sympathy of all who have
spark manhood in their compost
ion. qence of the representa-
ons o. Fish Commissioner sew